BobT

Saga continues: I installed the Rancho shocks today. Impressed so far. I have them set on 5 out of 9 settings, so I can still stiffing them up if need be. Also I cut the Timbren bump stops in half and removed the 1/4 inch spacer. This left me a little over a half inch clearance between the axle and the bump stop. Ride is much better but I need to go find a rough road to find out how they really feel. Shocks for this setup: Maxtrac shocks are junk - Don't even buy them. OEM shocks were better than the Maxtrac's. Belltech Street Performance shocks were good shocks but I thought they were too short and hence the truck sat lower in the back then the front and also made my bump stop issue worse. Rancho shocks are heavy duty and have leveled out my setup and I believe will assist with the bump stop issue. If I still have a bump stop issue, I'll notch the frame after my warranty runs out in 8 months.

Timbren bump stop - GMRCK15S Earlier response to a question from reddeadg8 concerning 2/4 Maxtrac drop: Unless you're willing to modify your frame, I would recommend against it. Still trying to get a comfortable ride without bottoming out. Not there yet. Have ordered a set of Rancho shocks to see if they help and I'll need to trim the Timbren bump stops because I'm bottomed out on them and I feel every little bump. Happy with the 2 in drop front spindles but not happy with the rear spring flip kit. Also, responded to the Bilstein 4600 shocks: Just got a set of Rancho RS9000XL shocks. Much larger diameter shocks. Also they're adjustable ride wise, so I can slowly stiffing them up to find out what works. I'll get them on this weekend and give you an update on how they work out.

Saga continues: Roads in Virginia are in pretty good shape, so I rarely bottomed out on the bump stops. Not so in PA. Went to Pittsburgh area for Thanksgiving and bottom out on almost every concrete overpass on the interstate. Really became annoying. So when I got back to VA, I put the factory shocks back on since they were about 4 inches longer. It helped but I also purchased a set of Timbren bump stops. Already it rides stiffer, so I doubt I'll be bottoming out anymore. We'll see.

Update: Felt every little bump with the Maxtrac rear shocks provided in the kit. Read on this forum where someone replaced theirs with BellTech Street Performance shocks. So I bought them and what a difference!! After taking off the Maxtrac shocks, they are cheap smaller shock that Maxtrac should never have sold in the first place. It makes be question the whole Maxtrac kit. Also, I submitted the above suggestions to both their tech support and sales email accounts. Never heard a response from either. Makes you also question their customer support.

Before and after pictures

Below are my comments for MaxTrac 4 in rear flip kit Part #301940 instructions (see attached). Above comment was for the 2 inch drop spindle instructions. Service manual comment applies here. Kit was supposed to include 5 each of the M8 bolts, washers and nuts. Kit had only 3 each of the M8 bolts, washers and nuts. I found a couple of bolts and made them work. I started with Step 18. I removed the factory rear bump stops and cut them down to 1 inch and reinstalled. Only 1 inch difference between the cut down and the provided bump stops. This saved me a lot of work since I skipped steps 19 - 21. I can always go back and do steps 19 - 21 if the bump stops becomes an issue, but so far so good. I continued with Steps 22 and 23. Easier to perform with the axle lower rather than after the springs are flipped. Make sure the longer side of the Z bracket goes with the factory bolts and holes. I had them backwards at first and they definitely don't fit with the shorter side. Back to Step 1. Steps 1 - 4 no problems. Step 5 - the nut does not require a socket, since it has a piece of metal welded to it to keep it from spinning. I scrambled to find a 15/16 inch socket that would fit between the fuel tank and the spring, only to find out I didn't need it. No issues with Steps 6 - 17. Jumped to Step 24. No issues Steps 24 - 26. Skipped Steps 27 and 28 (28 doesn't apply to 4WD). No issues with Step 29 & 30. Front spring bolt torque 162 ft/lbs. Rear spring bolt torque 70 ft/lbs. Wheel lug nuts torque 140 ft/lbs. MaxTrac 301940.pdf

I installed the MaxTrac 2/4 inch lowering kit this past weekend on a 2019 Silverado 1500 4WD. I will address comments for the 4 inch rear in a separate email. Following are my comments for instructions Part# 101920 (see attached). The instructions are for 2WD and after much searching on the internet, I found a Belltech lift kit video that showed me how to remove the wheel bearing hub. I will discuss that below. Prior to Installation: 1. Factory service manual is recommended. Comment: Service manuals are not available for the 2019 -2021 Silverados and finding torque specifications on the internet was a ****** and I'm still not confident I have the correct numbers but I will mention what I used below. No issues steps 1 - 6. For 4WD skip step 7 and 8. Remove axle nut. Requires a 36mm socket. I didn't have one but I did have a 1 3/8in socket and it fit perfectly. Tap the axle to make sure it is loose. Proceed to Steps 9 and 10. Once the assembly is off the truck, perform step 7 and remove the 4 bolts. Tap the back of the wheel hub assembly to break it loose from the spindle. Install in reverse order. Install wheel hub assembly in new spindle. Torque to 125 ft/lbs. Slide assembled spindle over the front axle and install upper and lower ball joint bolts. Upper ball joint torque 37 ft/lbs. Lower ball joint torque 87 ft/lbs. Reinstall axle nut and torque to 177 ft/lbs. Remaining steps are the same. Tie rod torque 44 ft/lbs. Only issue I had during installation was the brake line bracket did not line up with holes on the drivers side and I had to bend it to make it fit. Passenger side fit perfectly. Wheel lug nuts torque - 140 ft/lbs. Hope this helps. I spent more time searching on the internet for torque specifications and how to remove the front wheel bearing hubs, then the time to actually change the spindles. MaxTrac 101920.pdf